There’s nothing better than a clear summer night, when the stars shine clear in the dark sky. I often stop and stare on my way back inside after closing up the chicken coop. It’s a reminder of the vastness of the world—of opportunity, of human experience and of life.
As our team put this issue together, the cosmos became a clear theme tying the stories together. This is most obvious in our Tastemakers section, where I connected with Meteor and Stargazer owner and founder Robb Jones, an innovative Minneapolis bartender who grew up in White Bear Lake. Jones has focused the past five years on creating bars that fill a gap in the Minneapolis bar scene. His newest project is a response to unjustifiable cocktail prices—at Stargazer, fancy cocktails are worth every penny.
Elite trail runner Rachel Drake has spent many nights racing through moonlit mountain forests. We connected with Drake, a White Bear Lake Area High School graduate, to learn about her journey from high school track phenom to a world-class ultramarathon runner. Drake is the daughter of Craig and Gloria Drake—two exceptional community leaders and volunteers.
And speaking of outstanding community members, we connected with Jay Rendall—an area sailor and coach—about a project 15 years in the making. Rendall is currently finishing up a book focused on the boat builders of White Bear Lake. He’s uncovered never-before-seen documents and photographs, and the book is set to reveal some remarkable stories of prominent figures in this community’s boat building history.
What’s more? We’re also talking about birds, regenerative travel and a new student-led coffee shop. I’m thrilled to share these stories with you, Readers.
As we ease into warm, clear evenings, don’t forget to step outside, look up and revel in the beauty of our world.
Until next time,
—Zoe Yates
